Why not suffering?

A few years ago, there was a tragic accident involving Taylor University students. Two girls, one who died and one who was severely injured were misidentified. For months, one family grieved the loss of their daughter while the other sat hopefully by the bedside awaiting healing and recovery. It was only after several months of mourning and waiting that the two families learned the identities were mistaken. In an instant, one family “got their daughter back from the dead” while the other sadly buried their daughter. In national interviews following the breaking news of the tragedy surrounding the mistaken identity, the mother of the child who died was asked “Did you ever ask God why he would allow this to happen to you?” Her response surprised me as she answered with great wisdom, “No. Why should I be exempt from tragedy.”

As a mother, I cannot imagine anything worse than losing a child. I do not know if I would have the same maturity to not give a regular shout out of “Why me!” While I can speak rationally now and know that I am not entitled to a life free of tragedy, I cannot say what I would honestly do in the throws of grief. But, bad things happen to people everyday. It is not only the evil or the deserving that face suffering. Likewise, it is not only the good and gracious that reap rewards and bounty. A six year old suffers abuse and neglect while a greedy middle-aged man cruises around the world in a multi-million dollar yacht. Life’s ledger simply does not balance.

There are those who believe that if one asks enough, or has enough faith then they will be spared suffering. In essence, this makes God into a “genie in a bottle.” I rub my lamp and God grants me my wishes. Believing this raises me to a “god status.” I know what I need and want and therefore I control and manipulate God to get what I want through my insistence and faith. I become entitled to blessing. Then, there is Abraham. God wanted to destroy Sodom in its entirety and Abraham convinced God through negotiations to spare a few people. It appears through Abraham’s pleas that God’s mind was changed. I cannot deny that God is not moved by our prayers and pleas. But, I am not entitled to get what I want (like that two-door soft-top Jeep Wrangler.)

Suffering takes us into some really dark places. Places we rightfully would prefer to avoid. I love hiking through the Appalachia Mountains. One of my favorite spots is along the bald ridges of Roan Mountain. It is a vast area of grass top hills, and no trees. To get to the top requires a long and winding hike through a dense valley of rhododendron, pine trees, and other wildlife. It is easy to lose one’s footing in the valley – tree roots are hidden under shallow piles of leaves, rocks are moss covered and slippery, and following the spring thaw and rains, the rivers and creeks can make parts of the trail nearly impassable. Little sunlight breaks through the thick cover of the forest. If it were not for the white hash marks marking the Appalachian Trail, it would be easy to lose one’s way.

On top of the bald ridges, the views are spectacular. One can see clearly for miles upon miles. I learned the hard way that mountain tops are no place to set up camp. With no trees to block the wind, tents are battered and fire does not light. With no creeks or streams, there is no place to refill empty water bottles. While it is a beautiful place to stand and bask in the sun and openness, one cannot stay there. One must enter in to the valley in order to find life. Suffering takes us through the valleys and it is there, in the midst of our desperation that we find life.